7 Reasons the French Riviera is Such a Unique Destination

A-listers have called the French Riviera their favorite playground since the 19th century. The Côte d’Azur, as the French call it, is as charming as ever and still one of the places heralded by elite travelers.

There has never been a place where royalty and Hollywood collide quite like the French Riviera. During cinema’s golden age in the 1950s, it was the beating holiday heart of Hollywood’s elite. Actress Grace Kelly wed Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956, wearing more than 400 yards of silk, taffeta, lace and pearls. Elizabeth Taylor vacationed in the French Riviera regularly. Greta Gabo and Frank Sinatra floated aboard Christina O, Aristotle Onassis’ luxurious yacht, while Rock Hudson stayed at the exclusive Hotel du Cap Eden Rock. Modern-day celebrities also regularly choose the area.

LVH presents seven reasons to visit the French Riviera and part of what makes this corner of the French coastline one of the most alluring places on earth.

Brilliant Architecture

“Subtle” is one adjective never used to describe the architecture of the Côte d’Azur. Whether it’s the elegant pink-swathed Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula or the classic and contemporary building housing the natural history museum-aquarium built into the Cliffside of Le Rocher in Monaco, you will always find a visually stunning feast architecturally in villages dotting the French Riviera. Even the immaculately kept honey-kissed maisonettes brimming with flower boxes or opulent villas with Renaissance columns and splashes of pastel accents beckon you to look!

A Shopping Extravaganza

The French Riviera is a shopper’s dream come true. That’s especially so in Cannes and Monaco. You can find most luxury brands from Chanel to Prada in quaint boutiques dotting shopping areas. A must-visit is the famed Cercle d’Or shopping center in Monte-Carlo. It’s about all things designer. In Cannes, you will find the infamous La Croisette which is home to some of the city’s best boutiques.

Monaco is an absolutely heavenly place to spend some time on a French Riviera holiday. By choosing to stay at Villa Paradise you will be on the most dazzling stretch of coastline imaginable. This glorious estate fuses modern distinction with French Riviera glamor. The tranquil and light-filled spaces feature ultra-sleek, haute couture elegance. With room for up to 10 guests, Villa Paradise features a heated outdoor pool, tennis court and a lovely patio, terrace and a rooftop terrace for sumptuous al fresco dining.

Ultimate Glamor

There is no place in the world quite like the French Riviera for glitz and glamor. From the celebrity-studded Cannes Film Festival to the wonderful yacht season in the summer, the Côte d’Azur is in a class by itself when it comes to an elite lifestyle. Here you will find a high concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants, high-end boutiques and a nightlife with a different hot spot for every evening: Cocktails on the beach in St. Tropez or dancing the night away at a chic nightclub in Cannes, among others.

Amazing Art

Artists like Renoir, Monet, Chagall, Picasso and more have all felt the allure of the Côte d’Azur. The impression the area made on them can be seen in some of their most famous creations. You can see some of these monumental works at places like the Picasso Museum in Antibes or the Fondation Maeght in Vence which houses paintings by Chagall, Kandinsky and Calder. The French Riviera has been immortalized by these impressionists and the area is an art lover’s dream.

The Culinary Scene

The fine dining scene in the French Riviera can compete with other commendable dining destinations in the world. Nice, in particular, is a town that lures lovers of fine fare to its restaurant tables. When you are visiting these areas for their culinary charisma, you might choose to take a cooking lesson or two which are often offered to guests.

Reconnect with Nature

There are three monumental islands making up the Iles d’ Hyères off the coast between St. Tropez and Toulon. Porquerolles, the largest, is only five miles long and 1.5 miles wide with a north side rife with amazing beaches backed by pine trees and a rugged and brazen south coast. Between you will find vineyards and more forested areas. Port-Cros is a national park with several scenic hiking trails. The coastline is mostly made up of cliffs, so there are few beaches. The last island – Ile de Levant is used by the French Navy. This island – once home to Cistercian monks – still has plenty of beaches to the west. It’s known for the nudist colony in the village of Heliopolis. Established in the 1930s, it was one of the first nudist sites in Europe.

The French Riviera is nothing less than magical and that is exactly how your vacation should feel! We invite you to reach out to an LVH client relations associate who will begin planning your holiday right away. We will build a customized itinerary for you